Waitlisted by grad school. Should I wait for admission?

Question

I am currently admitted to two schools (one offering money but is my last choice, one not offering money thats my second choice) and just got waitlisted by NYU. I would like go to NYU above all, but to me waitlisting means "No, dont waste your time waiting."

What gets you on a waitlist that didnt make them pick you the first time, but would make them come pick me off of the waitlist? How would you suggest making the final selection?

I'm just scared time is gonna run out before I hear from NYU!

Answer 1

Waitlist is BS. It means "we like other people better than you, but if they like other schools better than us, then we'll lower our standards." Waitlist is pretty much like keeping your resume "on file" after you've been turned down for a job. Maybe the circular file, nothing else.

I also applied to 3 colleges. I got waitlisted by my second choice school and accepted by my first choice, which is more prestigious and selective. Who the heck knows what they're looking for or how they ranked you. If you really want to go to NYU then hold off accepting any other school until the last possible moment, maybe a week before the deadline, to see if you're one of the blessed few NYU deems "acceptable" to enter their hallowed halls. But don't count on it. You don't want to give up a sure thing simply because you might be one out of a hundred that gets a second offer.

Answer 2

Your problem is that grad. school selection is highly competitive where basically schools are looking at grade to decide who to accept. Different schools value different grades higher, whether its GPA or entrance exam scores. NYU probably had more applications of people with grades very close to you to where you happened to not be in the first cut. I would not put too much hope into the wait list as I was on there myself last year and I decided to take the school that accepted me so I could have time to plan things like where to live. As far as what you can do to try to get off the wait-list there is not anything. You are already in a place on the wait list and trying to do anything to change that would only annoy the school. I advise you to wait for NYU as long as the other two schools will allow but take the other school offers a day before it expires if you have to. You have a very low percentage of getting in through the wait list so take the sure thing. Remember, you can always try to transfer after your first year!!!!

Answer 3

Pick one of the ones you got into and then enroll there. However, once every month or two, send a letter, call them, e-mail, etc to let them know you're still interested. See if they can tell you anything they'd like to see from you. If they don't respond, maybe update them as to what you've been doing to show you're still hard at work.

I got off the wait list for my grad school and I helped a girl I know get in off the wait list just this past summer. We made sure the admissions office know we were dead serious about coming. Schedule a class tour with the admissions office, etc. Even tho you're on the wait list. Things like that.

You don't wanna bug em constantly. You just become a pest that way. Each time you contact them, there should be a good reason why. Now's a good time to schedule a class visit. Send a thank you letter afterwards to say how much you loved the school and can't wait to come. Later, let them know you're still interested and what you've been up to.

Answer 4

Waitlisted usually means "were full but if anyone bails out, your next in line".
In my opinion, you should consider the school that is offering you money. It is always good to have extra money in college.